An undocumented Venezuelan immigrant has been accused of murdering a college student in Chicago, and a mistake on his part helped authorities track him down.
Jose Medina, 25, is suspected of killing 18-year-old Sheridan Gorman near Toby Prinz Beach. According to authorities, the shooting, which occurred Thursday, was executed as an ambush, with Medina apparently wearing some sort of mask at the time.
After the incident, he was captured on video waiting for an elevator at an apartment building without the mask. A construction engineer recognized him, noting that he “walks with a very distinctive limp.”
Using an image from the video, law enforcement matched it against a database. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed his identity, leading to his arrest at home.
Witnesses reported seeing a man dressed in dark clothing, who appeared to have a limp, leaving the crime scene. He was spotted heading towards Pratt Boulevard shortly after the shooting.
Gorman, a freshman at Loyola University and a graduate of Yorktown High School in New York, was remembered for her warmth and vibrancy. Her obituary described her as someone who made others feel valued and appreciated. Friends recalled her as funny, kind, and loving, someone who could brighten any room.
Medina, who had a prior encounter with U.S. Border Patrol in May 2023, was released into the U.S. under the current administration. He was later arrested for shoplifting but released before these more serious charges emerged.
He now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder and aggravated assault, according to police. His arrest has stirred up questions regarding immigration policies, with Gorman’s family expressing disappointment in systemic flaws that allowed Medina to remain in the country.
They emphasized the need for accountability, saying, “When the system fails…the consequences are real. And in our case, they are permanent.”
Local leaders have also commented, with one councilwoman suggesting that Gorman was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, like many young people do when engaging in everyday activities.
